Lab Schools

Welcome to AltSchool

AltSchool’s vision is to enable all children to reach their potential. Our network of schools includes our own lab schools in New York City and San Francisco, serving pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as partner schools across the U.S. that share our aim of transforming educational experiences for children.

In partnership with our educators, our technology and design teams have created a platform to support environments that are centered around the student. Our technology helps educators across the AltSchool Network to deeply understand their students as individuals and to create personalized, project-based learning experiences focused on developing the whole child.

San Francisco

New York

A Transformational Education

As centers of innovation and excellence, our lab schools are learner-centric environments in which we strive for a balance of flexibility and structure that are characteristic of a lab. To create the optimal learning conditions for students, we start with a clear vision of the learner. AltSchool’s personalized, whole-child approach to education prepares students to navigate their way in a rapidly changing world, as they develop and demonstrate competency in key milestones for academic domains as well as critical habits.

Our lab schools are also where AltSchool educators and technologists work together to co-develop the AltSchool platform, and where we put our vision for the future of learning into practice.

Exploring Our Lab Schools

Small, community-based campuses support the development of deeply enriching relationships between students, educators, and families. Students in our lab schools experience learning that is truly tailored to their needs and interests, and have the opportunity to shape their own learning.

We explore the following areas of innovation in our lab schools:

1. Personalized Project-Based Learning

Educators use a proven cycle of learning that aligns with how children learn best.

2. Multi-Age Programs

Two-year age bands replace traditional grades; our programs challenge and support students at their individual level of knowledge and skills.

3. Learning Beyond School Walls

Small, community-based campuses blur traditional boundaries between school and community. Exploring the community and bringing experts into our schools grounds learning in real-world experiences.

4. A Whole-Child Approach

A deep learner profile for each student that goes beyond grades and test scores, incorporating knowledge, skills, and habits—and evolves with your child.

5. A Bigger Purpose

Students and parents contribute to co-creating a platform that not only powers our schools but also aims to improve education for all children.

The State of Our Schools

Our Programs

At AltSchool, all that we do is geared toward creating lifelong learners who are prepared for the future. Our rigorous yet flexible learner-centric environments and programs are designed to cultivate learners with the skills, character, and intrinsic motivation they need to successfully navigate a rapidly changing world—and to define the future for themselves.

Foundational Elementary

4 to 6 years old

Pre-Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten to Kindergarten

Lower Elementary

6 to 8 years old

1st to 2nd Grade

Upper Elementary

8 to 10 years old

3rd to 4th Grade

Middle School

10 to 14 years old

5th to 8th Grade

Sample Program Schedules

These sample schedules are representative and may vary by school site.

With a flexible drop-off schedule, parents can drop off students anytime between 8 and 9 am. During that time, students play together and focus on individual work.

9:00 - 9:15 A.M.

Morning Meeting

To begin the day, students connect, share, and review the day’s schedule as a group.

9:15 - 10:30 A.M.

Morning Learning Block: Math

Students learn and practice math concepts through hands-on activities.

10:30 - 11:00 A.M.

Morning Break and Snack Time

Students gather for a snack and conversation.

11:00 - 12:15 P.M.

Mid-Morning Learning Block: Language Arts

Using the Readers and Writers Workshop model, teachers provide targeted skill instruction that engages all students based on their goals and needs. During this time, students work both in groups and independently.

12:15 - 12:40 P.M.

Lunch

12:40 - 1:50 p.m.

PE and Outdoor Play

Students enjoy PE and/or recess every day. Weather and location permitting, schools utilize local parks and playgrounds to ensure students play and experience the outdoors.

1:50 - 2:45 P.M.

Read Aloud/Interdisciplinary Project

Students gather to hear stories and learn to appreciate different genres as educators read aloud to the group. Projects take many shapes and forms and give children the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

2:45 - 3:00 P.M.

Closing Circle

Students share what they’ve learned and enjoyed at the end of each day. This daily routine serves as an important reminder to students that they’re part of a learning community where everyone is heard and valued.

3:00 - 6:00 P.M.

AltExplore: Extended Day and Enrichment Programming

We offer extended day between 3 pm and 6 pm with an option to register for enrichment programming between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Enrichment programs may include chess, kung-fu, hip-hop and capoeira.

8:00 - 9:00 A.M.

Rolling Drop-Off

With a flexible drop-off schedule, parents can drop off students anytime between 8 and 9 am. During that time, students play together and focus on individual work.

9:00 - 9:15 A.M.

Morning Meeting

To begin the day, students connect, share, and review the day’s schedule as a group.

9:15 - 10:30 A.M.

Morning Learning Block: Math

Students learn and practice math concepts through hands-on activities.

10:30 - 11:00 A.M.

Morning Break and Snack Time

Students gather for a snack and conversation.

11:00 - 12:15 P.M.

Mid-Morning Learning Block: Language Arts

Using the Readers and Writers Workshop model, teachers provide targeted skill instruction that engages all students based on their goals and needs. During this time, students work both in groups and independently.

12:15 - 12:40 P.M.

Lunch

12:40 - 1:50 p.m.

PE and Outdoor Play

Students enjoy PE and/or recess every day. Weather and location permitting, schools utilize local parks and playgrounds to ensure students play and experience the outdoors.

1:50 - 2:45 P.m.

Read Aloud/Interdisciplinary Project

Students gather to hear stories and learn to appreciate different genres as educators read aloud to the group. Projects take many shapes and forms and give children the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

2:45 - 3:00 P.M.

Closing Circle

Students share what they’ve learned and enjoyed at the end of each day. This daily routine serves as an important reminder to students that they’re part of a learning community where everyone is heard and valued.

3:00 - 6:00 P.M.

AltExplore: Extended Day and Enrichment Programming

We offer extended day between 3 pm and 6 pm with an option to register for enrichment programming between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Enrichment programs may include chess, kung-fu, hip-hop and capoeira.

8:00 - 9:00 A.M.

Rolling Drop-Off

With a flexible drop-off schedule, parents can drop off students anytime between 8 and 9 am. During that time, students play together and focus on individual work.

9:00 - 9:15 A.M.

Morning Meeting

To begin the day, students connect, share, and review the day’s schedule as a group.

9:15 - 11:30 A.M.

Core Skills

A typical day for upper elementary students includes one or two learning blocks during the day to work on core skills. A learning block may include individual, small group, or classwide instruction on particular subjects like math, language arts, science, arts, or history.

11:30 - 12:00 P.M.

Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 P.M.

PE/Outdoor Play

Students enjoy PE and/or recess every day. Weather and location permitting, schools utilize local parks and playgrounds to ensure students play and experience the outdoors.

1:00 - 2:00 P.M.

Project-Based Learning

During project-based learning blocks, students focus on classwide or individual projects that enable them to pursue personal interests while furthering core academic skills and key learning habits.

2:00 - 3:00 P.M.

Independent Study and Feedback

An essential part of fostering student agency, independent study and feedback provides opportunity for students to reflect on their learning process.

3:00 - 6:00 P.M.

AltExplore: Extended Day and Enrichment Programming

We offer extended day between 3 pm and 6 pm with an option to register for enrichment programming between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Enrichment programs may include chess, kung-fu, hip-hop and capoeira.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Rolling Drop-Off

With a flexible drop-off schedule, parents can drop off students any time between 8 and 9 am. During that time, students play together and focus on individual work.

9:00 - 9:15 A.M.

Morning Meeting

To begin the day, students connect, share, and review the day’s schedule as a group.

9:15 - 11:30 A.M.

Core Skills

A typical day for middle school students includes one or two learning blocks during the day to work on core skills. A learning block may include individual, small group, or classwide instruction on particular subjects like math, language arts, science, arts, or history.

11:30 - 12:00 P.M.

Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 P.M.

PE/Outdoor Play

Students enjoy PE and/or recess every day. Weather and location permitting, schools utilize local parks and playgrounds to ensure students play and experience the outdoors.

1:00 - 2:00 P.M.

Project-Based Learning

During project-based learning blocks, students focus on classwide or individual projects that enable them to pursue personal interests while furthering core academic skills and key learning habits.

2:00 - 3:00 P.M.

Independent Study and Feedback

An essential part of fostering student agency, independent study and feedback provides opportunity for students to reflect on their learning process.

3:00 - 6:00 P.M.

AltExplore: Extended Day and Enrichment Programming

We offer extended day between 3 pm and 6 pm with an option to register for enrichment programming between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Enrichment programs may include chess, kung-fu, hip-hop and capoeira.

How to Apply

We’re accepting applications for the 2019-20 school year for our lab schools in New York and San Francisco. We invite families interested in applying for the 2019-20 school year to sign up for an Open House to learn more about our educational approach, meet our educators, and tour the school.